Vulnerability and resilience in New Zealand’s wine industry: A case study from Marlborough

Abstract

Purpose: This paper sets out a framework for resilience assessment in the wine industry. The application of the framework is illustrated through case-study analysis of impacts of recentearthquakes on the wine industry in Marlborough, New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach: A case-study analysis of Marlborough region, on New Zealand’s South Island, based on semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, document analysis (media and industry situation reports, insurance assessments), and informed by academic literature on socioecological and disaster resilience. Findings: Resilience analysis provides conceptual and methodological tools for assessing the capacity of socio-ecological systems to recover from shocks and stresses. Resilience thinking provides a useful conceptual and theoretical basis for assessing the capacity of the wine industry to absorb shocks, and prepare for future uncertainty. Practical implications: Resilience assessment can help identify winery operation components that influence system-critical sensitivities to seismic risks. This type of analysis can help the industry identify system vulnerabilities and risks, and develop and support specific adaptation or resilience building strategies.